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...a glimpse into life on Vancouver Island, needle felting, photography, food, gardening, etcetera...etcetera
"Happiness always looks small when you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and at once you learn how big and precious it is."
Maxim Gorky

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Book review...

There were many stories that came out of Germany during WW2 but this one is very different.
Taking place in the present as well as in Berlin and Paris during the outbreak of the Nazi takeover,
it tells an intriguing story of two friends caught up in the madness.
But it also tells a story of their jazz band and the problems of being of 
African-German and African American in a place where tolerance was limited.
The book takes you to the Paris of those days as well to meet up 
with greats such as Louis Armstrong and Bill Coleman.
It's the story of betrayal and redemption.
Well written, well researched.
 
 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Colours of the seaside...

It was a warm spring-like day on Thursday...
A good day to search the shore for pebbles, sea glass and driftwood.
Look at the grain on this snapped off piece of wood...
Tiny cockle shells huddle together in between the rocks...
Of all the sea life which attaches itself to the rocks, I must say that these are my favorite...
...like something from an Arthur Rakham illustration,
they are the strangest looking things.
Goose neck barnacles.
They remind me of dragon toes...edible too!
 Nestled up against beautiful, dark mussels...
At the entrance to this crevice there is a work of art in progress...
 The hues remind me of aged bronze.
In fact it is just layers of slimy goo from algae.
The lichen on some of the rocks out in the open is of the most brilliant rust colour...
Typical picture of Griffin...always up for a swim!
Up top on the cliffs, the view was lovely as ever...
My mind turns to thoughts of warm summer days, kayaking, strolling the cliffs.
Welcome thoughts in the midst of the usual grey.